This moderately-paced, locally hosted tour package to South Africa includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness.

South Africa is one of the world's most popular travel destinations, and our Taste of South Africa tour offers an unparalleled experience at a price that is as amazing as the country itself. Start in Cape Town, named by the New York Times, top city to visit, where you’ll stay for four nights. See the beauty of Cape Town during a panoramic city tour taking you from the top of Table Mountain via cable car to the colorful neighborhoods of Bo Kaap, stopping at some of the historic sites that give Cape Town its vibrant character. Enjoy some free time to explore the city on your own or join exciting optional excursions. Then, head north for an in-depth wildlife experience at the Entabeni Private Game Conservancy. Here you’ll stay for two nights enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily and four game drives in open vehicles with a private ranger and plenty of opportunities to spot the Big Five! Want even more? Extend your stay with a post-tour to the majestic Victoria Falls.

Dates, Prices & Options

Departure Dates & Prices

Early Booking Discount: Book by 11:59 p.m. ET on Aug. 18 to save up to $300 per person!

Want to stay longer? We may be able to arrange for you to stay later than the scheduled dates, including extra hotel nights and separate airport transfers. Contact us about prices and availability.

Options, Extensions & Fees

A Taste of South Africa

Rooming Selection

Double Occupancy

included

Single Room Supplement

Dec 8

unavailable

All other departures

+$499

Optional Excursions

Optional Excursions Package

+$142

Victoria Falls Extension1

Victoria Falls Extension

Nov 24, Dec 8, Jan 12, Jan 19, Feb 2, Feb 16, Mar 2, Mar 16, Apr 12

+$999

Sep 29

+$1199

Sep 15, Oct 27, Dec 22

unavailable

All other departures

+$1099

Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls) Visa Fee2(paid separately)

+$30

Rooming Selection

Double Occupancy

Sep 15

unavailable

All other departures

included

Single Room Supplement

Sep 15

unavailable

All other departures

+$199

1. The Victoria Falls extension is a post-tour extension for 2015 departures. Passengers taking the post-tour extension will return to the U.S. 3 days later than the return dates shown above. The Victoria Falls extension requires that your flights be confirmed separately by the airlines. Please note that it typically takes 3 to 5 business days to confirm your extension flights with the airline, and that we will notify you immediately upon confirmation of the flights.

Coming from somewhere else? Unfortunately, we don't offer departures from cities that are not listed, but you can book your own connecting flights separately.

Transfers: Transfers for this package are provided on a group basis only. For passengers deviating in any way from the group program, transfers are not provided. Individual, private transfers can be arranged at a supplement in price. Taxis and other forms of transportation are also available and may cost less than private transfers. If you wish to arrange private transfers, please request this service at the time of reservation.

How to Make a Reservation

To make a reservation, simply select an available departure date and reserve online using our secure booking system. Or call us one of our travel specialists at 800-555-5765, Mon–Fri 9:30–6:00 Eastern time. But first, check out our Things to Know section.

We only require a per-person deposit payment, which you can pay with your credit card or PayPal account. This deposit will be applied towards the cost of your package, and is generally non-refundable (details). The balance is due 75 days prior to departure (or within 72 hours, if you're booking less than 75 days prior to departure), and can be paid by credit card, PayPal, check or money order.

Deposit

Standard Deposit

$600

Itinerary

Day 1:Depart USA. Your fascinating journey to South Africa begins as you depart New York on your overnight flight for Cape Town via Johannesburg.

Day 2:Cape Town. Sawubona (welcome)! Arrive today in Cape Town, a beautiful jewel nestled between stunning Table Mountain and a dramatic coastline. Cape Town is a modern, bustling and vibrant city boasting gorgeous scenery, fabulous restaurants, hotels and beaches, and is bursting with history and culture. Upon arrival at Cape Town's airport, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Accommodations: Protea Breakwater Lodge.

Day 3:Cape Town. Your tour of Cape Town begins with a half day panoramic city tour showcasing the scenic and historic highlights of this vibrant city. Weather permitting, ascend by cable car to the top of Table Mountain, Cape Town's most striking landmark. Proceed to the country's oldest building, the Castle of Good Hope, an imposing 17th century Dutch fort set against the dramatic backdrop of Table Mountain. Continue to the Malay Quarter (Bo-Kaap). Lined with brightly colored houses and decorative mosques, this historic neighborhood was founded by former slaves from Malaysia whose Islamic culture gives the neighborhood a distinct character and contributes to Cape Town's rich cultural diversity. The remainder of the day will be at leisure. Breakfast provided.

Day 4:Cape Town. Enjoy the day to explore Cape Town, or participate in an exciting optional tour of Cape Point. Breakfast provided.

Optional Excursion:Cape Point & Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, approx. $75. Your trip to Cape Point begins this morning with a scenic drive past secluded coves, beautiful beach towns and spectacular mountain scenery. Stop at famous Chapman's Peak. Enter the nature reserve that covers the southern part of the Peninsula, and drive through the unique scenery towards Cape Point. Travel by funicular railway to Cape Point where you can take in stunning views of the Cape of Good Hope. Later, make a brief stop to visit the African jackass penguins at Boulders Beach, and then continue to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where you'll enjoy a magnificent display of indigenous South African flora.

Day 5:Cape Town. Today is your last day to explore Cape Town, or join an optional excursion to Cape Town's famous wine region and Robben Island. Breakfast provided.

Optional Excursion: Cape Winelands & Robben Island, approx. $80. Enjoy an optional half day excursion to the heart of the Cape Winelands. Explore fine art galleries, architecture, history, and curious and quaint shops. But first, take a leisurely drive to get acquainted with beauty of this world-renowned region, before venturing into the wine-making process in a fascinating cellar tour with wine tasting. Then, depart by ferry from the V&A Waterfront to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of the 27 years of his incarceration. See the island's facilities and learn its history on a tour, guided by a former political prisoner. Depending on availability of the ferry tickets, the itinerary of this excursion may be reversed or the excursion may be operated on Day 4.

Day 6:Cape Town & Entabeni. This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg. Once there, you will be met and transferred to the Entabeni Safari Conservancy. Upon arrival at Entabeni in the late afternoon, switch to open vehicles for your first game drive with an expert ranger, ending at the lodge, in time for check-in and dinner. Entabeni is located in the Waterberg area, named as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, boasts five eco-systems and is home to the Big 5. The diversity on the reserve is astounding, with more than 55 large mammal species, birds, and other fauna and flora. (Travel to Entabeni includes a 20km drive on gravel road. All trails and paths in the reserve are unpaved.) Accommodations: Entabeni Lakeside Lodge. Breakfast and dinner provided.

Day 7:Entabeni. After an early wake-up call, depart on your second game drive. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Enjoy the remainder of the day relaxing at the lodge, or take part in other optional activities such as horse riding, bush walks, or helicopter flights, available locally for a supplemental cost. In the late afternoon, set off, once again, for your third game drive. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Day 8:Entabeni & Johannesburg. This morning, wake-up early for your fourth and final game drive. Return to the lodge for breakfast and some time to relax. In the late morning, you will be transferred to Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport for your overnight flight back to the USA. En route, enjoy a panoramic tour of Pretoria, passing by the Union Buildings and courts. Wishing you hamba khale (have a safe journey) as you bid South Africa tot siens (farewell). Breakfast and lunch boxes provided.

Day 9:Arrive USA. Your amazing adventures come to an end as you arrive in USA this morning.

Victoria Falls Post-Tour Optional Extension

Why not take advantage of your already-included international airfare to visit Victoria Falls, one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders. You'll return to the USA 3 days after the return dates shown.

Day 8:Entabeni & Johannesburg. This morning, wake-up early for your fourth and final game drive. Return to the lodge for breakfast and some time to relax. In the late morning, you will be transferred back to Johannesburg to check-in to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. Accommodations: Peermont Metcourt Hotel.Breakfast and lunch boxes provided.

Day 9: Johannesburg & Victoria Falls. This morning, transfer back to the airport for your flight to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Upon arrival and after customs formalities, you will be greeted by your local guide. who will take you on a tour of the falls. You'll soon discover why this UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered one of the greatest natural wonders—and the largest curtain of falling water in the world! Located at the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls consists of numerous falls separated by islands in the river below. The Zambezi River spills more than 2 million gallons of water per second over the Bakota Gorge, creating multiple rainbows and resulting in an awe-inspiring display of raw power unrivalled by other natural wonders. The tremendous roar of the water and the ever-present cloud of spray give the falls their local moniker, "Smoke that Thunders."

Later today, experience the glorious falls from an up-close vantage point as you set sail on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Be on the look-out for hippos, monkeys, elephants, and crocodiles that frequent the waters and the surrounding areas. Accommodations: A'Zambezi River Lodge.Breakfast provided.

Day 10:Victoria Falls. Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this magnificent natural wonder on your own via the well-marked trails through the rainforest that wind up to and around the falls. The trails allow for excellent picture-taking from a variety of vantage points (be sure to protect your camera if it's not waterproof). There are a wide range of optional excursions available locally on request basis including game drives, walking safaris, bungee jumping, and more. We recommend the full day tour of Chobe National Park in Botswana. Breakfast provided.

Optional Excursion:Chobe National Park. Take advantage of an optional full day excursion to the Chobe National Park in Botswana, renowned for its large elephant population. Begin the day with a safari boat cruise on the Chobe River. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at the Chobe Game Lodge and end the day with an afternoon game drive in an open vehicle. This excursion requires a passport and double or multiple entry Zimbabwe visa. This optional excursion can only be purchased locally.

Day 12:Arrive USA. Your amazing adventures come to an end as you arrive in USA this morning.

Optional Excursions Package: $142

Special package includes:

Cape Point & Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Cape Winelands & Robben Island

You can book these excursions individually in South Africa, but space is limited. Save money and reserve your space when you purchase this special package ahead of time—with or before your final payment.

We've taken 3 trips with Friendly Planet. All of them have been good, but this one topped them all. We loved the itinerary. We came home feeling we had seen so much! We loved the hotels. The River Lodge in Karongwe was amazing. Our game guides Keenan and Matthews were the best! The African Pride Hotel in Cape Town was beautiful. Our room looked out on Table Mountain! And most of all, our guides did everything they could to ensure that we had the very best time possible. We will definitely look to Friendly Planet again for our next trip!

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* Prices per person, based on double occupancy. Limited quantity of single occupancy rooms or cabins available for an additional charge. Prices may include an early booking discount and/or coupon discount, available for a limited time. Prices do not include extensions, optional excursions and other optional items. For packages including flights, prices include Airline Taxes, Fees & Sept. 11th Security Fee, but do not include excess baggage fees or advance seat reservations (unless otherwise noted), and departures from some cities may be an additional charge. Prices and availability subject to change. Upon receipt of your reservation, if we cannot confirm all package components, you may cancel and receive a refund of your deposit, which is otherwise non-refundable. More about our prices.